The Ingestion of Dietary Prebiotic Alternatives during Lactation Promotes Intestinal Health by Modulation of Gut Microbiota

Abstract

Palm kernel expeller (PKE), a by-product of palm oil extraction, contains higher amounts of fiber than corn and soybean meal, but offers low energy density, protein value, and amino acid (AA) composition, limiting its use for swine. Recently however, it was reported that dietary fiber has a positive effect on the gut microbiota of the host, and therefore it is necessary to study the effect of PKE feeding on the intestinal microbiota of swine. In this study, we investigated the effects of supplementation with PKE in lactation diets on the gut microbiota composition of lactating sows and their litters. A total of 12 sows were randomly assigned to two dietary treatment groups in a completely randomized design. The treatments were a diet based on corn-soybean meal (CON) and CON supplemented with 20% of PKE. Sow and piglet fecal samples were collected before farrowing, on days 7 and 28 (weaning) after farrowing, and on days 7 and 28 (weaning) after farrowing, respectively, to verify gut microbiota composition by pyrosequencing analysis. The beta-diversity result showed a significant difference only in weaning-stage piglets, but dietary PKE altered the gut microbiota in sows by increasing the abundance of Lactobacillus compared with CON. In piglets, dietary PKE decreased the abundance of opportunistic pathogen Proteus and increased the abundance of potentially beneficial bacteria, such as Prevotellaceae and Prevotella. Our results can be helpful in developing feeding strategies and support the beneficial effects of dietary PKE to improve the gut health of animals.

Change in the Gut Microbiota of Lactating Sows and Their Piglets by Inclusion of Dietary Spray-Dried Plasma in Sow Diets

“…Another hypothesis is that the caring environment plays a crucial role in the function and composition of the gut microbiota during both the suckling and weaning periods [ 42 , 45 ]. Our previous studies confirmed that the nutritional changes in sow diets affected the sow and piglet health and gut microbiota [ 46 , 47 ]. The present study observed similar gut microbial profiles, with increases in the genus Lactobacillus and Ruminococcus and decreases in the genus Bacteroides , Escherichia/Shigella , and Clostridium , in both the sows and piglets when the sows were fed a SDP additive diet during lactation.…”

Comparing Gut Microbial Composition and Functional Adaptations between SPF and Non-SPF Pigs

“…Growing interest in gut microbiota has prompted research into their interactions with hosts in various contexts, including environmental changes and diseases [ 12 - 16 ]. Recent studies have particularly focused on the role of gut microbiota in organ transplantation and their influence on immune regulation in transplant recipients [ 24 , 25 ].…”

“…The bacterial taxa mediating SCFA production, such as the family Lachnospiraceae [ 31 ], genera Streptococcus [ 29 ], and Ruminococcus [ 32 ] were more abundant in SPF pigs (20.0%, 60.2%, and 8.3%, respectively) than in non-SPF pigs (4.9%, 33.3%, and 3.1%, respectively). Moreover, the genera Blautia [ 31 , 33 ], Bacteroides [ 33 , 34 ], and Roseburia [ 16 , 35 ] were exclusively found in SPF pigs (4.1%, 3.4%, and 1.9%, respectively). However, the association between a low proportion of Prevotella in the gut microbiota and the pathogen-free environment requires further confirmation.…”

“…The composition and diversity of the gut microbiota are influenced by not only the genetic variation of the host but also by environmental factors [ 12 ]. Numerous studies have reported interactions between alterations in the gut microbiota and various environmental factors, such as dietary changes, diseases, and pathogenic microorganisms [ 13 - 16 ]. The rearing environment is also a noteworthy factor that can induce changes in the composition of gut microbiota.…”